"Where is my tutorial?"

Rin had been summoned. She was standing in front of me, staring intently. Her gaze conveyed a chilling sensation and my skin prickled.

[Well, that's how you summon a card. Remember, outside your base you can only have 6 active cards, and the others will be inactive until you switch. So before you go out, remember to choose wisely.]

Anary began making strange movements with her hands. It looked like she was touching something.

For my part, I was looking at Rin. She seemed too slim to hold a weapon. She didn't even give the impression of being strong.

Looking into her eyes was a bit frightening, but I didn't think she was like that. Huh? Rin was no longer looking me in the eyes. Instead, she was looking down. Just before I could ask why, a strong wind interrupted my thoughts.

The wind was strong enough for me to duck down and avoid being blown away.

"Hey, hey, hey. Is that you, Anary? I thought you were on my side."

[I'm just a guide. I'm only going to give you a demonstration of what you're up against.]

Well, to my surprise, the not-so-strong Rin was standing as if it were just a gentle breeze. This time, however, she had her back to me, holding her sword firmly.

The wind decreased in intensity until I could stand up again.

Rin, who still had her back to me, shifted to a fighting stance. She was crouched, ready to cut something that wasn't there yet.

[Cut something that isn't there? Idiot, you don't see it because you're behind Rin. Move over there.]

I'd appreciate it if you weren't always in my mind, you know.

[Shut up, go!]

I must say, it was one of the best falls I've had.

With a clear view, I saw something I never thought I'd see. In front of my eyes was the most, most, most horrible, dirty, ugly thing, any word to describe something that scares me. The horrible creature was green, about my size, seemed to be wearing knight's clothes, and had a thick stick in its hands. Sharp teeth and green pointy ears. Its eyes, ugh, those eyes looked at me disgustingly.

But despite that, the monster didn't move, it seemed to be trembling with fear at the sight of Rin. Its sharp teeth chattered, and its gaze alternated between Rin and me. It looked like it might run away from fear at any moment.

It was then that something inside me wondered, shouldn't Rin attack?

The next moment, Rin lunged at the green monster, cutting quickly while the monster blocked her rapid attack. How can a monster like that block the fast sword?

Rin should step back, lest she gets hurt. And as if reading my mind, Rin stepped back quickly, leaving a great distance. The monster seemed confused, somewhat dazed.

Why did she stop attacking? Rin seemed like she would win.

"Hey, what's going on? Why did Rin stop attacking?"

[You ordered her to do so, the cards can do things you can't.]

I haven't done anything.

"What are you talking about? I haven't said anything to Rin."

[Listen Hans, anything you think in relation to your cards, they will do. Think things through.]

By my sister's mustache, are you joking? Changing my way of thinking, I decided to start this fight.

"Rin, turn it into puree!"

[JUST KIDDING!]

That thing, whatever it is, started to run from Rin, heading deeper into the forest. Rin chased it, though a step slower.

At one point, I could hear the sound of trees being hit and things breaking.

And suddenly, the sound of the trees returned to normal.

Rin came out of the forest and stood a few steps away from me. She was injured with ugly marks on her body. She had dirt in her hair and an ugly bruise on her chest. But, above all,

[Rin] [29% life.] [Status: none]

[You gained 1 XP] [You leveled up to 1] [You obtained Experience Book]

[Experience Book: Grants 30 XP points to a card]

[You obtained a copper coin]

[Coin: used to buy items in the shop.]

[Shop: you cannot access this function yet.]

[For every creature you defeat, you gain 1 point. I recommend saving the books, and that's it for my guide. Bye]

"Wait, what... Anary?"

She left me alone.

She didn't even tell me where to go, so how on earth will I find the way to a safe place?

Entering the forest will only get me lost, returning to the mountain seems safer than venturing into the forest.

Wait, I feel like I'm missing something essential, something I'll regret leaving behind. Surely when the time comes, I'll know if it was important or not.

For now, I stood up and entered the forest.

Rin, who was watching me from the side, followed me closely.

And what to say about the forest, it was just trees and rocks. The uneven ground made walking a bit difficult and barely anything was visible ahead.

A few more steps and I reached a small open area.

"This is where Rin fought."

The grass was all trampled, the trees around had cuts, and there was a black stain on the rock.

I turned to see Rin and saw her marker, it seems she isn't well, as she was at 28%.

Something told me that I needed to heal Rin or something bad would happen.

The vast forest wasn't helping at all in finding a path to a safe zone, or even a place where I could take refuge.

After a while of searching, the sound of water reached my ears. I ran with all my might to the source of the sound.

And to my delight, I made it.

A small stream passed before my eyes. Just seeing it gave me a refreshing feeling.

But above all, there was something that caught my attention.

"A Pig, I think I know what Rin needs. Go, make it into a salad, Rin!"

After hunting the pig, I'm sure I'll have a feast.

Oink!?